Apparatus and method for providing media programming

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first media stream comprising a first media program by way of a first wireless communication link. Establishment of a second wireless communication link is facilitated with a media processor communicatively coupled to a display device; receiving a request for a second media stream comprising a second media program, wherein the request is received from the media processor by way of the second wireless communication link A transfer is negotiated of operational control of the display device from the media processor to the mobile communication device, and transmitting the second media program to the display device by way of the media processor using the second wireless communication link. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/310,937 filed Dec. 5, 2011 by Sofos et al., entitled “Apparatus andMethod for Providing Media Programming.” All sections of theaforementioned application(s) are incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method forproviding media programming by way of a mobile communication device.

BACKGROUND

Media content is frequently experienced by consumers via devices such ascomputers, televisions, radios, and mobile electronics. Media content isfrequently delivered by service providers, who send the media content,such as television, radio, and video programming, directly to consumersfor enjoyment at their physical locations. Programming is oftentransmitted to consumers in protected formats that must be unlocked anddecoded by proprietary methods prior to presentation at a consumer'sdevice. Modern communication networks benefit from interconnectivitybetween consumers and various communication devices. As networkcapabilities expand, these interconnections provide new opportunities toenhance abilities to enjoy media content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal forinteracting with the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system;

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method that can be usedin portions of the communication systems described in FIGS. 1-5; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods discussedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for providing media programming. In one embodiment, a mobilecommunication device can be operable to provide a media program at adisplay device. Other embodiments are contemplated by the presentdisclosure.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a mobile communicationdevice having a memory coupled to a processor. The processor can beoperable to receive a media stream at the mobile communication device byway of wireless communication with a media source. The processor canalso be operable to decode a first media program from the received mediastream and to present the decoded first media program at a display atthe mobile communication device. The processor can further be operableto detect a presence of a display device. The processor can be operableto establish a wireless communication link to the detected displaydevice. The processor can also be operable to receive a user selectionof a second media program from the detected display device. Theprocessor can further be operable to decode at the mobile communicationdevice the selected second media program from the received media stream.The processor can be operable to the decoded selected second mediaprogram from the mobile communication device to the detected displaydevice by way of the wireless communication link for presentation at thedisplay device without decoding of the selected second media programbeing required at the display device.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer-readablestorage medium including computer instructions, which, when executed bya processor, can cause the processor to detect at a mobile communicationdevice a telephony communication session initiated from a secondcommunication device over a wireless communication network. The computerinstructions can also cause the processor to receive at the mobilecommunication device a media stream over the wireless communicationnetwork. The computer instructions can further cause the processor todetect a presence of a display device by radio frequency identification.The computer instructions can cause the processor to establish awireless communication link to the detected display device, to presentby way of the wireless communication link a user interface at thedetected display device for program selection from the receive mediastream, and to receive a selection of a media program from the detecteddisplay device. In turn, the computer instructions can also cause theprocessor to transmit the selected media program from the mobilecommunication device to the detected display device by way of thewireless communication link for presentation at the display devicewithout requiring decoding of the selected media program at the displaydevice.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a method includingdetecting at a mobile communication device a presence of a set-top boxcommunicatively coupled to a display device. The method can also includenegotiating a transfer of operational control of the display device fromthe detected set top box to the mobile communication device. The methodcan further include receiving a media stream at the mobile communicationdevice by way of wireless communication with a media source. The methodcan include transmitting a selected media program from the mobilecommunication device to the display device by way of a wirelesscommunication link between the mobile communication device and thedetected set-top box for presentation at the display device withoutdecoding of the selected media program being performed by the set topbox.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media system.Communication system 100 can also provide for all or a portion of thecomputing devices 130 to function as a media server device 130. Themedia server device 130 can use common computing and communicationtechnology to perform function 162, which includes among things,providing media content to a consumer by way of a mobile communicationdevice 116. The media server device 130 can provide a media stream to amobile communication device 116. The media communication device 116 can,in turn, decode a media program from the media stream and present thedecoded media program at the mobile communication device 116. The mobilecommunication device 116 can also detect a media device 108, such as atelevision, and establish a wireless communication link with the mediadevice 108. The mobile communication device 116 can present a userinterface at the media device 108 and can receive a user selection of amedia program at the user interface of the media device 108. The mobilecommunication device 116 can, in turn, decode the selected media programfrom the media stream and transmit the decoded media program to themedia device 108 by way of the wireless communication link The mobilecommunication device 116 can also detect a set-top box 106 that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device 108. The mobilecommunication device 116 can establish a wireless communication linkwith the set-top box 106. The mobile communication 116 can transmit adecoded media program to the set-top box 106 by the wirelesscommunication link

The IPTV media system 100 can include a super head-end office (SHO) 110with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 which receivesmedia content from satellite and/or terrestrial communication systems.In the present context, media content can represent, for example, audiocontent, moving image content such as 2D or 3D videos, video games,virtual reality content, still image content, and combinations thereof.The SHS server 111 can forward packets associated with the media contentto one or more video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a network of videohead-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicast communicationprotocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast content via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a residential or commercial gateway). The accessnetwork 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a service areainterface that provide broadband services over fiber optical links orcopper twisted pairs 119 to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can usecommon communication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered communication technologies (such as coaxial, powerlineor phone line wiring) or can operate over a wireless access protocolsuch as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other local orpersonal area wireless network technologies. By way of these interfaces,unicast communications can also be invoked between the media processors106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system for services such asvideo-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG),or other infrastructure services.

A satellite broadcast television system 129 can be used also in themedia system of FIG. 1. The satellite broadcast television system can beoverlaid, operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system as anotherrepresentative embodiment of communication system 100. In thisembodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115 carrying mediacontent can be received by a satellite dish receiver 131 coupled to thebuilding 102. Modulated signals received by the satellite dish receiver131 can be transferred to the media processors 106 for demodulating,decoding, encoding, and/or distributing broadcast channels to the mediadevices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped with a broadbandport to the ISP network 132 to enable interactive services such as VoDand EPG as described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital cable broadcastdistribution system such as cable TV system 133 can be overlaid,operably coupled with, or replace the IPTV system and/or the satelliteTV system as another representative embodiment of communication system100. In this embodiment, the cable TV system 133 can also provideInternet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It is contemplated that the present disclosure can apply to any presentor next generation over-the-air and/or landline media content servicessystem.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130, a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing web portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or mobilecommunication devices 116.

Multiple forms of media services can be offered to media devices overlandline technologies such as those described above. Additionally, mediaservices can be offered to media devices by way of a wireless accessbase station 117 operating according to common wireless access protocolssuch as Global System for Mobile or GSM, Code Division Multiple Accessor CDMA, Time Division Multiple Access or TDMA, Universal MobileTelecommunications or UMTS, World interoperability for Microwave orWiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, Long Term Evolution or LTE, and soon. Other wide area wireless network technologies can be used by theexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) networkarchitecture to facilitate the combined services of circuit-switched andpacket-switched systems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid oroperably coupled with communication system 100 as another representativeembodiment of communication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS-compliant communication devices(CDs) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260. The MGCF 220 need not be usedwhen a communication session involves IMS CD to IMS CD communications. Acommunication session involving at least one PSTN CD may utilize theMGCF 220.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with aninterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF), which in turn, communicates with a ServingCSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with the HSS 240. To initiate acommunication session between CDs, an originating IMS CD 201 can submita Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message to an originatingP-CSCF 204 which communicates with a corresponding originating S-CSCF206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit the SIP INVITE message to oneor more application servers (ASs) 217 that can provide a variety ofservices to IMS subscribers.

For example, the application servers 217 can be used to performoriginating call feature treatment functions on the calling party numberreceived by the originating S-CSCF 206 in the SIP INVITE message.Originating treatment functions can include determining whether thecalling party number has international calling services, call IDblocking, calling name blocking, 7-digit dialing, and/or is requestingspecial telephony features (e.g., *72 forward calls, *73 cancel callforwarding, *67 for caller ID blocking, and so on). Based on initialfilter criteria (iFCs) in a subscriber profile associated with a CD, oneor more application servers may be invoked to provide various calloriginating feature services.

Additionally, the originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries to the ENUMsystem 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIP INVITEmessage to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS-compliant. The SIP URI can be used by anInterrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submit a query to the HSS 240 toidentify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associated with a terminating IMS CDsuch as reference 202. Once identified, the I-CSCF 207 can submit theSIP INVITE message to the terminating S-CSCF 214. The terminating S-CSCF214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216 associated with theterminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 may then signal the CD 202 toestablish Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication services,thereby enabling the calling and called parties to engage in voiceand/or data communications. Based on the iFCs in the subscriber profile,one or more application servers may be invoked to provide various callterminating feature services, such as call forwarding, do not disturb,music tones, simultaneous ringing, sequential ringing, etc.

In some instances the aforementioned communication process issymmetrical. Accordingly, the terms “originating” and “terminating” inFIG. 2 may be interchangeable. It is further noted that communicationsystem 200 can be adapted to support video conferencing. In addition,communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs 201, 202with the multimedia and Internet services of communication system 100 ofFIG. 1. It is further contemplated that the CDs of FIG. 2 can operate aswireline or wireless devices. For example, the CDs of FIG. 2 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 117 such as shown inFIG. 1, a femtocell (not shown), a WiFi router, a DECT base unit, oranother suitable wireless access unit to establish communications withthe IMS network 250 of FIG. 2.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such as CD203 or CD 205 (in instances where the cellular phone only supportscircuit-switched voice communications), the ENUM system 230 can respondwith an unsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originatingS-CSCF 206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout GatewayControl Function (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call tothe terminating PSTN CD over the PSTN network 260 to enable the callingand called parties to engage in voice and/or data communications.

It is further appreciated that the CDs of FIG. 2 can operate as wirelineor wireless devices. Although not shown, the CDs of FIG. 2 can becommunicatively coupled to a cellular base station 221, a femtocell, aWiFi router, a DECT base unit, or another suitable wireless access unitto establish communications with the IMS network 250 of FIG. 2. Thecellular access base station 121 can operate according to commonwireless access protocols such as Global System for Mobile (GSM), CodeDivision Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA),Universal Mobile Telecommunications (UMTS), World interoperability forMicrowave (WiMAX), Software Defined Radio (SDR), Long Term Evolution(LTE), and so on. Other present and next generation wireless networktechnologies are contemplated by the present disclosure. Accordingly,multiple wireline and wireless communication technologies arecontemplated for the CDs of FIG. 2.

It is further contemplated that cellular phones supporting LTE cansupport packet-switched voice and packet-switched data communicationsand thus may operate as IMS-compliant mobile devices. In thisembodiment, the cellular base station 221 may communicate directly withthe IMS network 250 as shown by the arrow connecting the cellular basestation 221 and the P-CSCF 216.

Communication system 200 can include or otherwise be coupled to themedia server device 130 of FIG. 1 for purposes similar to thosedescribed above. The communication system 200 can include or otherwisebe coupled to a mobile communication device 116 and/or a media processor108 of FIG. 1 for purposes similar to those described above. It isfurther contemplated by the present disclosure that the media serverdevice 130 and/or the mobile communication device 116 and/or the mediaprocessor 108 can perform the function 162 and thereby provide mediacontent for subscribers associated with CDs 201, 202, 203, and 205. CDs201, 202, 203, and 205 can be adapted with software to perform function170 to utilize and integrate with the media content applicationperformed by the media server device 130 and/or the mobile communicationdevice 116 and/or the media processor 108. It is further contemplatedthat the media server device 130 can be an integral part of theapplication server(s) 217, where the application server(s) 217 performsfunction 172, which can be substantially similar to function 162 andadapted to the operation of the IMS network 250.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a web portal 302 which canbe hosted by server applications operating from the computing devices130 of the communication system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The webportal 302 can be used for managing services of communication systems100-200. A web page of the web portal 302 can be accessed by a UniformResource Locator (URL) with an Internet browser such as Microsoft'sInternet Explorer™, Mozilla's Firefox™, Apple's Safari™, or Google'sChrome™ using an Internet-capable communication device such as thosedescribed in FIGS. 1-2. The web portal 302 can be configured, forexample, to access a media processor 106 and services managed therebysuch as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a Video on Demand (VoD) catalog,an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), or a personal catalog (such aspersonal videos, pictures, audio recordings, etc.) stored at the mediaprocessor 106. The web portal 302 can also be used for provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

It is contemplated by the present disclosure that the web portal 302 canfurther be utilized to manage and provision software applications162-172 of the devices of FIGS. 1-2, respectively, as described earlier.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication device 400 can serve in whole or in part as anillustrative embodiment of the devices depicted in FIGS. 1-2. Thecommunication device 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 402 (herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, apower supply 414, a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 formanaging operations thereof. The transceiver 402 can support wirelesshigh-definition multimedia interface (HDMI). The transceiver 402 cansupport short-range or long-range wireless access technologies such asBluetooth, WiFi, Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few. Cellulartechnologies can include, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS,TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generationwireless communication technologies as they arise. The transceiver 402can also be adapted to support circuit-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as PSTN), packet-switched wireline accesstechnologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP, etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include a display410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. In anembodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display 410 withnavigation features.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS for identifying a location of thecommunication device 400 based on signals generated by a constellationof GPS satellites, thereby facilitating common location services such asnavigation.

The communication device 400 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other wirelessaccess points by common sensing techniques such as utilizing a receivedsignal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA)or time of flight (TOF). The communication device 400 can use thetransceiver 402 to detect the presence of a device by radio frequencyidentification (RFID). The controller 406 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the mobilecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-206 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 500for providing media content. System 500 can be overlaid or operablycoupled to communication systems 100-200 as another representativeembodiment of communication systems 100-200. System 500 can include amedia server device 530 in communication with a packet switched networksuch as IMS network 250. The media server device 530 can be incommunication with a media processor device 506, such as set-top box,that are further in communication with a media device 550, such as atelevision. The media server device 530 can provide media content, byway of a media stream, to the media processor device 506. The mediaprocessor device 506 can further be in communication with satellitemedia processor devices 506B to form a local network of media processordevices 506 and 506B. The satellite media processor device 506B can becoupled to another media device 550B and can receive media contentstreamed from the media server device 530 or stored on the mediaprocessor device 506.

A mobile communication device 516 can be communicatively coupled to thecommunication system 500 in several ways. The mobile communicationdevice 516 can communicate with the IMS network 250 through a basestation 517 of a mobility network. The mobile communication device 516can also communicate with the PSTN network 260 through the base station517 of the mobility network. The mobility communication device 516 cancommunicate to the mobility network through a cellular communicationtechnology link 545. The mobile communication device 516 can receivestreamed media content from the media server device 530 through the IMSnetwork 250, the mobility network 517, or the cellular communicationtechnology link 545.

The mobile communication device 516 can also communicate with a mediadevice 554 by way of a wireless communication link 574 or with a mediadevice 558 by way of a wired communication link 578. The wireless orwired communication links 574 and 578 can be high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) links The mobile communication device 516 can use acommunication link 574 with a media device 554 to transmit media contentfor presentation on the media device 554. The mobile communicationdevice 516 can also communicate by a wireless or wired communicationlink 576 with a media device 550 that is connected to a media processordevice 506, such as a set-top box. The mobile communication device 516can also communicate with a media processor 506 by way of a wireless orwired communication link 570. The mobile communication device 516 canuse a communication link 570 with a media processor 506 to send a mediastream sourced from the media server 530, to send media content storedon the mobile communication device 516, or to receive media content fromthe media processor 506. The mobile communication device 516 can therebyprovide media content according to the illustrative embodiments ofmethod 600 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustrative method 600 that operates in portions ofthe devices of FIGS. 1-5. Method 600 can begin with step 604 in whichthe mobile communication device 516 can detect a telephony sessioninitiated from a second device over a wireless communication link. Themobile communication device 516 can be, for example, a cellular phone, amobile phone, a personal data assistant, a pad device, a laptop device,or a notebook device. The mobile communication device 516 can connect toa PSTN network 260 by accessing a base station 517 of a mobilitynetwork.

In step 608, the mobile communication device 516 can receive a mediastream by way of a wireless communication link 545 with a media source.The media source can be a media server 530. The media stream can betransmitted from the media server 530 through the IMS network 250. Fromthe IMS network 250, the media stream can be routed through the mobilitynetwork and base station 517 to the mobile communication device 516. Thewireless communication link 545 can be a cellular link or a wirelessinternet protocol link. The media stream can include broadcasttelevision programming, pay-per-view or video-on-demand programming,video, music, graphics, gaming information, and/or text.

In step 612, the mobile communication device 516 can decode a mediaprogram from the received media stream using, for example, an H.264decoder. The mobile communication device 516 can receive an input at auser interface to select a particular program from the media stream. Agraphical user interface can be presented on a display of the mobilecommunication device 516. For example, the mobile communication device516 can present an electronic programming guide and can receive userselections of programming content by way of user interactions with theelectronic programming guide. The mobile communication device 516 can becapable to decrypt and/or decompress the media stream to decode aparticular media program from the media stream. The mobile communicationdevice 516 can authenticate a user or the mobile communication device516 as a valid receiver of the media stream or of particulate mediaprograms from the media stream.

In step 616, the mobile communication device 516 can present the decodedmedia program at a display of the mobile communication device. Themobile communication device 516 can preset at a built-in display screen,such as a touch screen and/or liquid crystal display.

In step 624, the mobile communication device 516 can detect a presenceof a media device 574. The presence can be detected by radio frequencyidentification (RFID). For example, the mobile communication device 516can receive a RFID signal from a media device 574. The mobilecommunication device 516 can use this RFID signal to identify the mediadevice 554 and its proximity to the mobile communication device 516. Themobile communication device 516 can detect the media device 554 by aBluetooth signal or a WiFi signal or a femtocell signal. The detectedmedia device 554 can be a television, a computer device, or a secondmobile communication device. The mobile communication device 516 canalso detect a media device 558 by a wired connection 578 of the mobilecommunication device 516 to the media device 558.

In step 628, the mobile communication device 516 can establish awireless communication link 574 with the detected media device 554. Thewireless communication link 574 can be a wireless access protocol suchas WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present or next generation local orpersonal area wireless network technologies.

In step 632, the mobile communication device 516 can receive a userselection of a media program at a user interface of the detected mediadevice 554. The user interface of the detected media device 554 can be agraphical user interface that can be presented on a display of the mediadevice 554. For example, the media device 554 can present an electronicprogramming guide supplied by the mobile communication device 516 andcan receive user selections of programming content performed at themedia device 554 by way of user interactions with the electronicprogramming guide. The user interface can be actuated by touch screeninput, button input, and/or voice command The mobile communicationdevice 516 can select a broadcast media program, a video-on-demandprogram, or a program from the media server 530 that has been previouslystored on the mobile communication device 516 to satisfy the selectionmade at the media device 554.

In step 636, the mobile communication device 516 can decode the selectedmedia program from the media stream received from the media server 530.The mobile communication device 516 can be capable to decrypt and/ordecompress the media stream to decode a particular media program fromthe media stream. The mobile communication device 516 can authenticate auser or the mobile communication device 516 as a valid receiver anddecoder of the media stream or of particulate media programs from themedia stream.

In step 640, the mobile communication device 516 can transmit thedecoded selected media program to the detected media device 554 by wayof a wireless communication link 574. The mobile communications device516 can thereby serve as a media content source or virtual set-top boxfor the media device 554. In one embodiment, the mobile communicationdevice 516 can transmit the decoded selected media program to a detectedmedia device 558 by way of a wired communication link 578. The wired andwireless communication links 574 and 578 can be high-definitionmultimedia interfaces. In one embodiment, the mobile communicationdevice 516 can transcode the decoded selected media program toaccommodate features or characteristics of the detected media device.For example, the media program format can be transcoded to match aresolution and screen size of the detected media device.

In step 644, the mobile communications device 516 can detect a mediaprocessor 506, such as a set-top box, that is communicatively coupled toa media device 550. The presence can be detected by radio frequencyidentification (RFID). For example, the mobile communication device 516can receive a RFID signal from a media processor 506. The mobilecommunication device 516 can use this RFID signal to identify the mediaprocessor 506 and its proximity to the mobile communication device 516using technology such as RSSI. The mobile communication device 516 candetect the media processor 506 by a Bluetooth signal or a WiFi signal ora femtocell signal. The mobile communication device 516 can also detecta media processor 506 by a wired connection of the mobile communicationdevice 516 to the media processor 506.

In step 648, the mobile communications device 516 can establish awireless communication link 570 with the detected media processor 506.The wireless communication link 570 can be a wireless access protocolsuch as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or other present or next generationlocal or personal area wireless network technologies.

In step 652, the mobile communications device 516 can negotiate with thedetected media processor 506 for control of the media device 550. In oneembodiment, the mobile communications device 516 can inquire of themedia processor 506 for any media device 550 that is coupled to themedia processor 506. Where a media device 550 is connected to the mediaprocessor 506, the mobile communication device 516 can requestpermission to control the media device 550. The media processor 506 cancede control of the media device 550 to the mobile communications device516. In one embodiment, the media processor 506 can automatically cedecontrol of the media device 550 to the mobile communications device 516any time the mobile communications device 516 connects to the mediaprocessor 506.

In step 656, the mobile communications device 516 can transmit thedecoded selected media program to the detected media processor 506 bythe wireless communication link 570. The mobile communications device516 can thereby serve as an alternative source of media content orvirtual set-top box for the media device 550. In one example, the mobilecommunication device 516 can have a different level of service from aservice provider or can access a different service provider altogether(e.g., mobile communications device 516 receives media content fromDirectTV™, while media processor 506 receives media content fromComcast™). The mobile communications device 516 can also provide mediacontent stored on the mobile communication device 516 to the mediadevice 550.

In step 660, the mobile communications device 516 can transmit thereceived media stream to the detected media processor 506 by thewireless communication link 570. The mobile communications device 516can simply pass along media stream, received from a media server 530, tothe media processor 506. The media processor 506 can thereby use theconnectivity of the mobile communications device 516 to capture mediacontent from the media server 530. In another embodiment, the mediaprocessor 506 can be operable to allow the decoded media programreceived from the mobile communications device 516 to be sent to themedia device 550 unaltered.

In step 664, the mobile communications device 516 can receive a mediaprogram from the detected media processor 506 by the wirelesscommunication link 570. The media processor 506 can provide broadcastmedia content, video-on-demand, or recorded media content to a user byway of a display of the mobile communication device 516.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. In one embodiment, the mobilecommunication device 516 can be used as virtual satellite set-top box ina network or set-top boxes. For example, the mobile communication device516 can be added to a network of media processors 506 and 506B made upof a master set-top box 506 and a satellite set-top box 506B. The mobilecommunication device 516 can share network resources with the master andsatellite set-top boxes including sharing media content recorded on themaster and/or satellite set-top boxes 506 and 506B, sharing mediacontent received on the master set-top box 506, and/or sharing userset-ups, preferences, or electronic programming guide information. Themobile communication device 516 can also be used to control a mediadevice 550B that is connected to and typically controlled by thesatellite set-top box 506B.

In one embodiment, the mobile communication device 516 can receive auser selection of a media program from a graphical user interface at themobile communication device 516 and transmit this media program to amedia device 554 over a wireless communication link 574. In oneembodiment, the mobile communication device 516 can control and transmitmedia programming to a first media device 554 by a wirelesscommunication link 574 and to a second media device 558 by a wiredcommunication link 578. In one or more exemplary embodiments, mediacontent can be decoded by a mobile communication device, such as throughuse of a tuner located at the mobile communication device, and thedecoded media content can be provided wirelessly to one or both of a settop box and a display device so that the set top box and the displaydevice do not decode or otherwise adjust the received media content. Inthis example, the media content can also be provided to othercommunication devices wirelessly so that the recipient devices also donot decode or otherwise adjust the received media content.

FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 700 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethods discussed above. One or more instances of the machine canoperate, for example, as the media server device 130, the mediaprocessor 506A-C, the gateway 504A-B, the mobile communication device516A-H, or combinations thereof as described above. In some embodiments,the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of aserver or a client user machine in server-client user networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a smart phone, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge,or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a communication device of the present disclosureincludes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video ordata communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, theterm “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machinesthat individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) ofinstructions to perform any one or more of the methods discussed herein.

The computer system 700 may include a processor 702 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 704 and a static memory 706, which communicate with each othervia a bus 708. The computer system 700 may further include a videodisplay unit 710 (e.g., a liquid crystal displays (LCD), a flat panel,or a solid state display. The computer system 700 may include an inputdevice 712 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 714 (e.g., amouse), a disk drive unit 716, a signal generation device 718 (e.g., aspeaker or remote control) and a network interface device 720.

The disk drive unit 716 may include a tangible computer-readable storagemedium 722 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g.,software 724) embodying any one or more of the methods or functionsdescribed herein, including those methods illustrated above. Theinstructions 724 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 704, the static memory 706, and/or within theprocessor 702 during execution thereof by the computer system 700. Themain memory 704 and the processor 702 also may constitute tangiblecomputer-readable storage media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

While the tangible computer-readable storage medium 722 is shown in anexample embodiment to be a single medium, the term “tangiblecomputer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a singlemedium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets ofinstructions. The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shallalso be taken to include any non-transitory medium that is capable ofstoring or encoding a set of instructions for execution by the machineand that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methods ofthe present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments can perform one ormore of the method steps at different times and/or simultaneously.

The term “tangible computer-readable storage medium” shall accordinglybe taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such asa memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only(non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable(volatile) memories, a magneto-optical or optical medium such as a diskor tape, or other tangible media which can be used to store information.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa tangible computer-readable storage medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are from time-to-timesuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Wireless standards for device detection (e.g.,RFID), short-range communications (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, Zigbee), andlong-range communications (e.g., WiMAX, GSM, CDMA) are contemplated foruse by computer system 800.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated toachieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodimentsshown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations orvariations of various embodiments. Combinations of the aboveembodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein,will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the abovedescription.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can beseen that various features are grouped together in a single embodimentfor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method ofdisclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that theclaimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited ineach claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subjectmatter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment.Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimedsubject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication device comprising: aprocessor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, facilitate performance of operationscomprising: receiving a first media stream comprising a first mediaprogram by way of a first wireless communication link; facilitatingestablishment of a second wireless communication link with a mediaprocessor communicatively coupled to a display device; receiving arequest for a second media stream comprising a second media program,wherein the request is received from the media processor by way of thesecond wireless communication link; negotiating a transfer ofoperational control of the display device from the media processor tothe mobile communication device; and transmitting the second mediaprogram to the display device by way of the media processor using thesecond wireless communication link.
 2. The mobile communication deviceof claim 1, further comprising decoding the first media program toobtain a decoded first media program, wherein the media programcomprises one of broadcast television programming, video-on-demandprogramming, video, music, graphics, gaming information, text, or acombination thereof.
 3. The mobile communication device of claim 1,further comprising presenting the first media program at a display ofthe communication device.
 4. The mobile communication device of claim 1,further comprising detecting the display device coupled to the mediaprocessor, wherein the facilitating of the establishment of the secondwireless communication link with the media processor is responsive todetecting the display device coupled to the media processor isresponsive to the detecting of the display device.
 5. The mobilecommunication device of claim 4, wherein the detecting of the displaydevice comprises detecting by way of one of radio frequencyidentification (RFID) signal, a wired connection, or a wirelesscommunication signal, wherein the wireless communication signalcomprises one of a personal area wireless network signal, a WiFi signal,or a femtocell signal.
 6. The mobile communication device of claim 1,wherein the processor further performs operations comprising: presentingthe second media program at a built-in display of the mobilecommunication device.
 7. The mobile communication device of claim 1,wherein the processor further performs operations comprising detecting aradio frequency identification signal from the display device.
 8. Themobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor furtherperforms operations comprising transcoding the first media program toaccommodate a format of the display device.
 9. A machine-readablestorage device comprising executable instructions that, when executed bya processor, facilitate a performance of operations comprising:receiving, at a mobile communication device, a first media streamcomprising a first media program over a first wireless communicationnetwork, wherein the mobile communication device is receiving a secondmedia stream comprising a second media program over a second wirelesscommunication network; receiving, at the mobile communication device, arequest for the second media program, wherein the request is receivedfrom a media processor by way of the second wireless communicationnetwork, and wherein the media processor is communicatively coupled to adisplay device; negotiating a transfer of operational control of thedisplay device from the media processor to the mobile communicationdevice; and transmitting the second media program to the display deviceby way of the media processor using the second wireless communicationnetwork.
 10. The machine-readable storage device of claim 9, wherein theoperations further comprise: detecting the display device coupled to themedia processor; and facilitating establishment of communication withthe media processor responsive to the detecting of the display device.11. The machine-readable storage device of claim 10, wherein thedetecting of the display device comprises detecting by way of one ofradio frequency identification (RFID) signal, a wired connection, or awireless communication signal, wherein the wireless communication signalcomprises one of a personal area wireless network signal, a WiFi signal,or a femtocell signal.
 12. The machine-readable storage device of claim9, wherein the instructions cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: presenting the second media program at a built-in display ofthe mobile communication device.
 13. The machine-readable storage deviceof claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise decoding the firstmedia program to obtain a decoded first media program, wherein the mediaprogram comprises one of broadcast television programming,video-on-demand programming, video, music, graphics, gaming information,text, or a combination thereof.
 14. The machine-readable storage deviceof claim 9, wherein the operations further comprise presenting the firstmedia program at a display of the communication device.
 15. Themachine-readable storage device of claim 9, wherein the instructionscause the processor to further perform operations comprising transcodingthe first media program and the second media program to accommodate aformat of the display device.
 16. A method, comprising: negotiating, bya mobile device, a transfer of operational control of a display devicefrom a first media processor to the mobile device; receiving, by themobile device, a first media stream, by way of wireless communicationwith a media source; receiving, by the mobile device, a second mediastream; transmitting, by the mobile device, a first media program fromthe mobile device to a display device communicatively coupled to thefirst media processor by way of a wireless communication link betweenthe mobile device and the first media processor; and transmitting, bythe mobile device, a second media program from the mobile device to thedisplay device by way of the wireless communication link between themobile device and the first media processor for presentation at thedisplay device.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising: facilitating, bythe mobile device, establishment of the wireless communication linkbetween the mobile device and the first media processor for transmissionof the first media program or the second media program to the firstmedia processor by way of the wireless communication link, wherein thesecond media stream is received from a second media processor.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein a presence of the first media processor isdetected by way of one of a radio frequency identification (RFID)signal, a wired connection, or a wireless communication signal, whereinthe wireless communication signal comprises one of a personal areawireless network signal, a WiFi signal, or a femtocell signal.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, comprising facilitating, by the mobile device,establishment of a wireless telephony communication session between themobile device and another mobile device.
 20. The method of claim 16,comprising receiving, by the mobile device, a third media program fromthe first media processor by way of the wireless communication link.